A Promise Is a Promise

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A Promise Is a Promise
Studio album by
Lyres
Released1988
GenreGarage rock
LabelAce of Hearts[1]
ProducerRichard W. Harte
Lyres chronology
Live at Cantones!
(1987) 		A Promise Is a Promise
(1988) 		Live
(1989)

A Promise Is a Promise is an album by the American band Lyres, released in 1988.[2][3] A band timeline constructed by Pete Frame that was included in the gatefold claimed that the album was recorded by the 13th lineup of the Lyres.[4][5] The cassette and CD versions of the album added seven songs.[5]

The Lyres supported the album with a North American tour.[6] The band broke up briefly after finishing the tour.[7] A Promise Is a Promise was reissued by Matador Records in 1998.[8]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Richard W. Harte.[9] Some of the songs were recorded live during a European tour.[10] Stiv Bators sang on "Here's a Heart".[11] "Witch" is a cover of the Sonics song.[12]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[9]
Martin C. Strong5/10[13]

Trouser Press stated: "Dispensing with most of the dated stylization for about as modern a sound as a group with prominent Vox organ can get, the energy-spewing album drags in spots but blasts off in others."[4] The Boston Globe concluded that the album "plays as a set of important throwaways, which, let's face it, is a rather central premise of disposable pop music ... [singer Jeff] Conolly's idea is to bash out the fury—or the occasional hope—and move on to the next slab-of-life dilemma."[5]

The Washington Post determined that "the singer/keyboardist's passion is both the appeal and the point of bluesy stompers like 'Sicked and Tired'—and it's swaggeringly infectious."[6] The Orlando Sentinel noted that, "with wheezing, cheesy organ riffs and grinding guitar chords, the Lyres from Boston embrace the style of '60s garage rock with an '80s twist."[14] The Telegram & Gazette thought that the Lyres give "down-home garage melodies a punk soul."[15]

AllMusic wrote that "despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic."[11] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide panned the "lo-fi" live tracks.[9]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."Here's a Heart" 
2."On Fyre" 
3."Every Man for Himself" 
4."Feel Good" 
5."I'll Try You Anyway" 
6."Worried About Nothing" 
7."Touch" 
8."Running Through the Night" 
9."She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies" 
10."Jagged Time Lapse" 
11."Knock My Socks Off" 
12."Sick and Tired" 
13."Trying Just to Please You" 
14."Witch" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Righi, Len (19 Feb 1988). "LYRES PROMISE TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS AT 'BERG". The Morning Call. p. D3.
  2. ^ "Lyres Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Mackie, John (15 Sep 1988). "Boston cult band Lyres bring their solid rock to town". Vancouver Sun. p. D3.
  4. ^ a b "Lyres". Trouser Press. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Sullivan, Jim (3 July 1988). "LYRES' 'A PROMISE ...'DELIVERS THE GOODS". The Boston Globe. p. A5.
  6. ^ a b Jenkins, Mark (15 July 1988). "Lyres Still Making 'Elevator' Music". The Washington Post. p. N23.
  7. ^ Smith, Andy (February 15, 1991). "THE CRITICS CHOICE: The Lyres". The Providence Journal. p. D3.
  8. ^ "Lyres' Crucial Garage-Rock Albums Reissued". MTV News.
  9. ^ a b c MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. pp. 701–702.
  10. ^ Moon, Tom (22 July 1988). "THE LYRES". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 32.
  11. ^ a b c "Lyres - A Promise Is a Promise Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  12. ^ Milano, Brett. "Don't give it up now: The Lyres are still on fire". Worcester Phoenix. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ^ Strong, M.C. (2003). The Great Indie Discography (2nd ed.). Canongate. p. 405.
  14. ^ Duffy, Thom (9 Oct 1988). "Best Patrol bets". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 22.
  15. ^ McLennan, Scott (April 18, 1993). "THE LYRES STAY TRUE TO THEIR SCHOOL". Datebook. Telegram & Gazette. p. 11.
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